» Political uncertainty still on as the left, third front continue to oppose Indo-US nuke deal

Political uncertainty still on as the left, third front continue to oppose Indo-US nuke deal

Published: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 22:41 [IST]

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New Delhi, July 3 : The Left parties will meet on Friday to decide on the modalities of withdrawing support from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government even as Third Front asserts its unity, amid reports that Samajwadi Party, a constituent of Third Front, would lend support to the UPA government.

Addressing media in New Delhi on Thursday the Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders said that the Left parties would decide on Friday the modalities for further course of action on the issue of withdrawing support to the government.

"Consistent with its principled stand, the Left will have to decide to withdraw its present support from outside to the UPA Government. The CPI proposes this to other Left parties who are meeting on July 4 to consider the modalities of this action," said A.B. Bardhan General Secretary, Communist Party of India.

Meanwhile, the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) (Third Front) leaders, who also met in the capital, wanted a national debate on the nuclear issue.

"On Nuclear deal (Indo-US civil nuclear deal) many things have been said but our stand from day one has been same. For us it's a matter of national concern but the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) said that it's a matter of the cabinet (of the government). But people of the country are suspicious about the deal, as they fear it might compel them to live under the US domination. The government should explain the deal to the people. It should be made a matter of national debate," said Om Prakash Chautala, Indian National Lok Dal leader. If the Left parties withdraw their support, the government needs the support of the Samajwadi Party to avoid losing a vote of confidence in parliament and facing an early election.

Fearing that early elections could pave the way for the BJP to come to power, the SP has hinted it is willing to negotiate with the Congress led government.

The pact, which gives India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and technology, is potentially worth billions of dollars to U.S. and European nuclear supplier companies and would give India more energy alternatives to drive a booming, trillion-dollar economy.